Beaching the Blue Whale: how to spot self-harm, and intervene

The menace that propels children towards self-harm is terrifying, but there are ways to intervene and help

The Blue Whale and its various avatars that have surfaced online are claiming more lives. UNICEF has issued an advisory, listing out dependable institutions across India to contact for help. Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar, founder-psychiatrist of Chennai-based NGO Sneha, one of the listed organisations, says that some “tasks” of the Blue Whale call for behavioural changes that parents and confidantes that teenagers trust — like a coach or an extracurricular instructor — can keep an eye out for, for timely intervention.

What to look out for

Disturbed sleeping habits

Late hours in front of the computer are not uncommon, but some “tasks” involve being online at 3 or 4 in the morning, says Dr Vijayakumar. “Extrovert children will become withdrawn, and the withdrawn will become even more so,” she says.

Lack of interest in usual activities

Even children who are quiet have a routine — playing certain outdoor games or hanging out with a friend. If they withdraw from even these, take note.

Bodily marks

A number of the things “participants” are made to do involve marking themselves, even before the final stages. Keep an eye out for cuts or scratches.

How to intervene

Adopt a gentle approach

If you suddenly shut off everything and cut off Internet access, your child will only get aggressive.

Speak to them

Sit down with your child and help them understand that the “game” is manipulating them. No one takes kindly to being taken advantage of; it might reduce the “coolness” factor of it.

Encourage communication

Let the child know that it is okay for them to talk to you about anything. Trusting communication will help you find out about peer pressure and other issues too.

Detach them from the Internet

Do this in a gentle, gradual way. Try to keep them offline for a day, to start with, through distraction. Take them out on a family outing or improve familial interaction in some way.

Divert them to The Pink Whale

“A large part of Blue Whale depends on isolating the victim,” says Dr Vijayakumar, “The Pink Whale is an online game that does the opposite.” The whole concept of it is to make you take control of your well-being and form human connections, and it’s catching on fast.